QUESTION
Am I able to get copies of my juvenile records?
Asked on Aug 15th, 2012 on Criminal Law - Rhode Island
More details to this question:
Am I able to get copies of my own juvenile records? Were they really sealed after I was 18? If so, they were sealed more than 12 years ago. Do I have a right to see them?
13 ANSWERS
Michael J. Breczinski
I suspect that if you went to the court you could get copies of your own records.
Answered on Aug 20th, 2012 at 12:23 AM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Alhambra, CA
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Francis John Cowhig
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Go to the clerk's office at the courthouse where your case was filed. They should be able to tell you how to get access to your records.
Answered on Aug 20th, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Your Juvenile records do appear on your criminal record. Upon your 18th birthday, you are eligible to petition to have your juvenile records sealed . Once sealed, no one can gain access to them and they will be completely destroyed five years from the date of sealing. Juvenile records are not automatically sealed upon your 18th birthday. You must affirmatively petition the juvenile court to have them sealed. You can do this by filing out a form and filing it with the juvenile court in the county in which you were convicted. Contact the juvenile court in the county you were convicted, and ask them to send you a copy of the form used in that county. Check to see if they have any special filing requirements such as additional photocopies or the need to serve copies of the petition on any government agencies, and get the correct information for filing by mail. Usually, there is no fee. If you graduated from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Justice, your juvenile conviction(s) will have been dismissed as part of your graduation. If you do not petition to have your juvenile records sealed and destroyed, they will remain on your record until your 38th birthday, then they will be destroyed.
Answered on Aug 19th, 2012 at 10:29 PM
Criminal Law Attorney serving Fremont, CA
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Steven J. Alpers, A Professional Corporation
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You could contact the juvenile court where you were convicted, if you did not request sealing request it now.
Answered on Aug 15th, 2012 at 4:51 PM
3 Awards
You are the only one that could find them if they exist. Go to that specific court and inquire.
Answered on Aug 15th, 2012 at 4:49 PM
Wrongful Termination Attorney serving Huntington Beach, CA
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Nelson & Lawless
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If they were properly sealed, they were also destroyed when you turned 18. Go ask the court.
Answered on Aug 15th, 2012 at 3:17 PM
Leonard A. Kaanta
Yes they were sealed.
Answered on Aug 15th, 2012 at 3:17 PM
Yes. They were sealed, and you cannot have access to them - nor can anyone else.
Answered on Aug 15th, 2012 at 3:17 PM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Deltona, FL
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R. Jason de Groot, P.A.
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Yes, no, yes, in that order.
Answered on Aug 15th, 2012 at 3:16 PM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Tarzana, CA
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The Law Office of Anthony A. Roach
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If you have juvenile records in California, you are allowed to see them. If they are records about you, you can see them whether they are sealed or not. In California, juvenile records are not automatically sealed. It takes a special petition to have them sealed.
Answered on Aug 15th, 2012 at 3:16 PM
Criminal Law Attorney serving Lancaster, NH
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Harden Law Office
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No records would be available from court. If you had a lawyer that office should still have your records.
Answered on Aug 15th, 2012 at 3:15 PM
Dennis P. Mikko
It would depend on what the offense was. It is possible that by now they have been destroyed.
Answered on Aug 15th, 2012 at 3:15 PM
Tax Attorney serving North Smithfield, RI
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The Law Offices of Mark L. Smith
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Your records are not available for anyone to observe except prosecution. You will need a court order to view those records.
Answered on Aug 15th, 2012 at 3:14 PM